Running...Again.

Today is the first day back of running since I injured my seismoids back in ... I don't know when. It's been a few months.

So, I decided this time, we'll do it right.

I went to the gym. Put on my running shoes with the orthotics (boooooo!) and got on the treadmill.

• 4 minutes walking at 3.5.
• 1 minute running at 6.0.
• 4 minutes walking at 3.5.
• 1 minute running at 6.0.
• 4 minutes walking at 3.5.
• 1 minute running at 6.0
• 4 minutes walking at 3.5.
• 1 minute running at 6.0.
• 2 minutes at 3.0

STRETCHING.

I checked my heart rate right after each 1-minute run - avg 168/169. 1 minute later - around 135/136. Not bad.

The 1 minute of running did not leave me winded or gasping (inhaler was at the ready, just in case). I didn't feel any pain anywhere. No soreness.

I will do this again, same pattern in 1-2 days. If all feels the same, then we'll increase the running and decrease the walking - slowly...

My tendency is just to jump right back in with both feet. That's probably why I've had so many injuries over these past few months/years. I don't ease into anything...so, I've decided I will follow the "experts" advice (those editors at Runner's World and various other resources) and ease back into running over a few weeks period of time. Of course, I will heed the warning of any trouble-spot in my body that is reminding me that I'm over 200 lbs and shouldn't be doing this...but, then again...

Over 650 Calories in 45 minutes!

No, that is NOT the number of calories I consumed...

That's the total number of calories burned while using the Arc Trainer at the gym. I also added 60 stomach crunches on the ball with some stretching. I don't know the calories burned doing that, but 650 calories...that's everything I've eaten so far today!

I've been trying to add more cardio to my daily regimen. I'm attempting a 45-min cardio session daily, whether it just be walking, running or using one of the machines at the gym. I'm trying to boost my calories burned. I'm just trying to shake it up a little and see if it will make a difference. .
The scale says no. But,
...my pants are a little looser...
...my spandex are not hugging on so tightly anymore...
...and all those vericose veins in my one leg are sticking out more than I've ever seen them. (ok - so that's not so encouraging other than the fat that was hiding them is gone.)
...my legs are thinned out.
...my arms are starting to get some muscular definition (not a lot, but it's a start).
...I have a chin and a neck - 2 separate body parts :)

So, I'm feeling stronger and my body is getting stronger. Now, let's go blast some fat and see if we can't get some of that outta here!

Where Have I been?

So that may be the question that some of you might be asking...

I'm unemployed!

As much as one might think, "Oh, she has so much time on her hands." But that's so not true. There's so much to do...house to clean, studying to do, hobbies to work on, shopping to do, organizing, budgeting, going to the gym, time with God, working on Farmtown...ok.

I don't know what to do with myself - to be honest. I have focused on getting all the requirements completed for my credentials. I finished all the studies and passed my exam. Now, I have some "Mentor" requirements that I need to work on. The question is: WHAT's NEXT?

My answer: "I HAVE NO CLUE!"

I'm taking it day by day at this point. I'm trying to focus on those things that are important to me..."exercising" my spiritual and physical muscles. That's pretty much my focus at this time.

I continue to look for employment, but not vigorously.

I want to look for a missions trip or internship to fill my time.

I want to keep hitting the gym and focusing on my physical strength.

I want to keep "hitting" the Bible and focusing on my spiritual strength.

Well, that's what I've been doing.

Maybe soon, I'll get into a routine and figure out what exactly this time is purposed for me to experience!

A lot of Changes...

It's been a few weeks since I last posted. A lot of changes...major changes...have happened in my life.

First, my seismoids are back to normal. I have been "easing" back into a physical activity schedule (heehee - I don't ease into anything...)

Second, my vacation was wonderful. After a week of pop-tarts, sugary cereals, ham sandwiches, doritos, hot dogs and s'mores, paddle-boating, fishing/crabbing, swimming in the bay, walking...walking... walking...I have lost 3 lbs! I couldn't believe it either. Usually, I return from such trips and need to fast just to "clean-out" from all the junk I've consumed. This time, I did a dance of joy on the scale in disbelief. In fact, I've kept off those few pounds and added another just this week! For me, that's awesome. I haven't lost a pound since January. In fact, I've put a few (just a few) back on. I am ecstatic!

Third, I got laid-off earlier this week. One might think this would throw me into a deep-spiral of depression, sleeping, laziness and over-eating of junk-food...but quite the contrary my friend! After being let go (which I was so expecting it to happen and wasn't emotional about it at all), I went straight home, put on my gym clothes and hit the gym for 60 minutes of cardio. I came home and spent 2 hours studying for my final class and then set-up a schedule for my rest of the week. Now, I laugh at the people who schedule their days...at least, I used to. I understand - I UNDERSTAND NOW!

I have been going to the gym everyday about 11:00 a.m. I go for 1-2 hours and hit cardio hard. I have set-up a 1-hour personal training session twice a week (I already paid for them). So #2 this week is later this morning. I figured this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I have to focus on my goals and my goals only.

So here's how I'm using my time:

• Daily Quiet times after a healthy breakfast and the Today Show.


• Housekeeping (I mean the major furniture moving, touch-up paint and redo the caulking around the tub type of housekeeping).


• The Gym (1-2 hours)


• Completing my studies to become a licensed-minister (only 1 course left and a major exam that must be completed in the next few weeks).


• Spending time on my much-neglected hobbies: gardening, learning bass guitar, photography and painting (see picture I took of the sunflower I am growing)

Alright, I've got a schedule to keep. New posts and continued updates forthcoming...

Seismoiditis!

So I've left my faithful few (both of you) hanging over these past few days...

I have seismoiditis.

Basically - I have inflamed seismoids from overuse (running) and abuse (overweight). If your immediately going to thoughts of hemorrhoids or some other nasty disease - CEASE AND DESIST! I have added the token picture of the seismoids below - they are 2 pea-shaped bones at the bottom of your big toe (also known as the ball of your foot). They are embedded in the tendons that run the sole of your foot. Apparently, dancers, women (or men) who wear high-heeled shoes and runners (increasing their mileage too quick or running up hills) put a lot of pressure on this area of their foot. Once the tendons become inflamed (flaming mad at you for making them work so hard), the seismoids become tender and oftentimes, fracture.

Thankfully, I do not have a fracture (4 x-rays of various views of my seismoids have proven that fact). They are just inflamed.

So what does that mean? Well, for starters, no more running for awhile. In fact, I'm on limited weight-bearing activity until 7/7. I also have this fancy, snazzy foot pad that I wear when I'm awake that takes the pressure off the seismoids. It's nothing special, I have it taped to my foot in my sneakers - no one knows...

Thankfully, I don't have to wear any Dr. Scholl's-style orthopaedic shoes with velcro straps! That would just be wrong on so many levels...though, there's nothing wrong with them except that they make your feet look REALLY BIG!

For now, I'll faithfully attach my foot pad to the sole of my foot each morning and obey the Dr's orders - no running! (or any other weight-bearing activity). I can walk - which I do, because I don't yet own a segway, but then again, I wonder if I can get my insurance company to foot the bill on a segway!

WATCH OUT PAUL BLART!

Seriously though - can I be real for a moment? It seems that I keep getting these ailments in my knees, tendons and seismoids. Why? The doctors are trying to be P.C. and say it's my increased mileage over the past few months to prepare for some of the runs I have participated in. They have said it's the high-mileage I've put in. They've even said it's the short-time that I've ramped up the mileage. But you and I...Yeah, you and I know that it's more than that. Those may be true, but there's a lot of people doing just what I've done - and they're fine. They have no specialist visits or knee drains or special foot pads to show...And they're not overweight.

That's it. Maybe I've struck gold there. America, I'm overweight.

I've been running off and on over the past 10 years in order to lose weight. I've ran 100's of miles, maybe even 1000's on a regular basis to get healthy. Maybe I am healthy. My cholesterol is 171. My blood pressure is normal. All my other numbers are normal...except the number on the scale. It's not budging.

I've changed my diet, increased my activity, prayed ... yet the numbers don't lie - I'M OVERWEIGHT.

Here's my problem - I run to lose weight. I get injured running because I'm overweight. I can't lose weight without running (so I've decided). So I keep running - to lose weight - to get injured because I need to lose weight...and the cycle continues!

So where to next? I wait patiently for 7/7. That's the date of my follow-up with the Dr. Until then...I am going on vacation for the next week and my follow-up is on 7/7. I will report back then on where it's at!

Strained, Cracked or Broken - That is the question.

Is it strained, cracked or Broken? That's the question I want to ask the podiatrist.

It seems I've done "something" to the bone on my right foot where the big toe connects to my foot. It started last week after completing the 5-mile run. I seemed to be fine most of the week until I went running yesterday. I didn't get but a half-mile into my run before it started hurting.

I continued running a little longer to see if it was a pain that I should run through or discontinue. I realized it wasn't going away, so I started walking a little. It REALLY hurt to push off my big toe. SO, I tried some biomechanical changes (technical speak for changed the way I was walking) to see if I could alleviate any of the pain. It seemed to help, so I started running again.

That didn't last long. SO I determined to walk the remainder of the 2 miles and head home. It's the next day and I still hurt. It's a nagging pain that my whole body is compensating for. So, I am waiting for 1:00 p.m. to roll around to see if I can get in with the local podiatrist for an x-ray and exam.

This is kind of a bummer. I've already ran in 3 races this season: a 5-miler, a 10k (6.2 mis) and the Broad Street (10 mis). I have a 5k (3.1 mis) scheduled for this Wednesday night. I don't think I'll be running in this one. In fact, I'm 99.9% sure that I won't, but since I already paid the pre-registration, I'm going to pick-up my packet. I'll "officially" run the 5k when I am cleared.

Pray that I can see the podiatrist immediately. The sooner this is diagnosed properly, the sooner I can get the right treatment, the sooner I can be running the streets again!

Blah to the Blahs!!!

This week has been full of the Blahs!

The weather has been...blah.
If we go one more day without sunshine, I might turn nocturnal! I need to see and feel the sunshine warming my skin. Not only does it feel good, it changes my entire being. Please sunshine, come visit today - even if for only a moment.

My motivation has been...blah.
I went to the gym on Monday - walked on the treadmill. There was no energy in me. I cranked it to 3.7 and put it on an incline for 20 min. That's all she wrote. Tuesday - I had my appt with the personal trainer. She thought it'd be "fun" to add a cardio-circuit for my 1-hr. About half-way, I had nothin' left in the tank. It was empty. I had to dig deep and focus to get through the work-out. I left the gym feeling spent and exhausted. I didn't go at all yesterday. Today, well, we'll find out in a few hours!

Work has been...blah.
Just like every where else in America, we are feeling the slowdown in our business. It's not job-threatening or anything like that, but it's slow. I am the type of person who does things quickly and likes a "faster" pace in my work day. When it's slow, I tend to let things pile up so that I can sit down in a few hours and pound them out. It's been making for some long days!

My LIFE has been...blah.
Don't get me wrong, I've been really busy. Maybe that's what is drawing me into a state of blah-ness. Maybe I need to slow down and enjoy a night of 8-hours of sleep or maybe just an hour of TV, but I haven't had that opportunity. Sunday night - Q&A with the missionaries; Monday night - dessert night with the ladies; Tuesday night - Phillies game (with extra innings); Wednesday night - crash!

Maybe I just need some rest. I haven't slept 8 hours in close to a week. I need 8 hours of sleep. I normally get 8 hours of sleep. Maybe I just need to slow down my pace - enjoy some slow time. Enjoy some "me" time - not to be selfish or anything.

Life has it's ups and downs and can quickly get out of hand if you don't slap on a bridal and slow the darn thing down.

Let's focus now and spend a few days to put the train back on the tracks, slow down the pace and get everything back in it's proper place!

I say, "BLAH to the blahs! It's time for you to go!"